This may be the last post on the current racial tensions for a while, but this one allows us to end on a positive note. One of my friends is a retired American Airlines pilot, and his son flies with American now. The son sent his dad this post from Doug Parker, CEO of American Airlines. The story was picked up by various media, and you can read one account here.

But here is the story as told by Doug Parker himself. It’s long but worth the read.

A quick confession — I flew Southwest yesterday. I needed to get to Panama City, FL and all of our seats were sold out! But I’m glad I did, because I had a remarkable encounter.   As I sat in the boarding area I was suddenly thankful for the facial coverings, because no one recognized me (I’m not sure they would have anyway, but my ego attributed it to the mask). As I prepared to board, I pulled the book I wanted to read inflight from my backpack. The book is White Fragility — the book Marty Nesbitt recommended to Elise and that both she and Maya had recommended to all of us. It is fantastic — challenging, and educational — but I’m embarrassed to say I had only gotten halfway through it before the crisis hit, and hadn’t picked it up since. The horrific and senseless death of George Floyd reminded me there were bigger issues in our world than coronavirus, so I packed the book for the trip.   I boarded the aircraft and found an empty row in the back. I put the book in the seat pocket, logged into WiFi and began reading and sending emails without opening the book.   About an hour into our 90-minute flight, the flight attendant from the front of the aircraft leaves her position and walks back to me in row 25 and sits down in the aisle seat. My ego again assumes she has recognized me, mask and all, and wants to know why I’m flying Southwest.   But, no, she has no idea who I am. She is a young, black woman and she points at the book lodged in my seat pocket and asks, “How do you like that book?” I say it’s fantastic and defensively show her how I’m a bit past midway. She says, “It’s on my list to read and I saw you bring it onboard and I just wanted to talk to you….” And then she started to cry.   I felt wholly inadequate but I knew it was a special moment. The best I could do was tell her that the book talks about how white people are horrible at talking about racism, and that what we need are real conversations. She agreed. I told her I was trying to learn and through tears and a mask, she said, “So am I.”   We talked for a good ten minutes and it was an absolute gift to me. Toward the end, I felt compelled to tell her what I did for a living. I’m not sure why, but it seemed like I should tell this [Southwest] flight attendant (JacqueRae) that had sought me out, that I worked in the business, too. I’m glad I did, because she gasped and told me her mother works for us in DCA. Then she started to cry again and leaned across the middle seat and hugged me. She thanked me for listening and then went back up front as we prepared for descent.   Before we deplaned, I had a wonderful email from her mother, Patti, thanking me for comforting her daughter. I had done nothing, of course. JacqueRae was the brave one. I was sitting comfortably in the back sending you guys emails without thinking twice about what this young woman — and others like her — were going through. She was a gift to me.   I did my best to explain that to JacqueRae in a note I scribbled out on descent. Then I replied to Patti’s email. I’m just going to copy my note to her here, because it relays my emotions about this as best I can:     Patti,   Your daughter’s visit was a gift to me. She is a special young woman. She had the courage to approach me only because I was reading a book on racism in America. She, like most all of us, is questioning how we got to this spot and why we can’t be better. Her kind heart and open-mindedness were evident — you raised her well.   I had no answers other than to tell her we all need to talk about it more. She certainly left an impression on me. Reading a book is one thing — spending time with a kind, strong, young black woman who is hurting and trying to learn from others is another thing altogether.   After we’d talked for a while, I felt like I should tell her what I did for a living. The conversation was even more impactful when we realized we had you as a connection. (How did we let her go to Southwest?)   Thank you for thanking me, but trust me, I was the one who was blessed by that conversation. I am better for it and more resolved to do what I can to make the world better for people like her (and people like me). Thank you!   Doug     These are trying times. Our people are hurting. I’m not certain what all of the answers are, but I know it involves talking to each other. And listening. And it takes courage and leadership to start the conversation and to stand up for what is right. JacqueRae taught me all that.   Please get out and talk to your teams today. Bring people together, not apart. We need caring leadership now more than ever. Thanks.   dp   – Doug Parker, CEO, American Airlines

Again, as my black friend wrote a few days ago:

It’s a very very tough journey and we need as many people  as possible talking about Depth in Christ and living out the gospel every single day with everyone we meet.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1.27, ESV)

But when Cephas [Peter] came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But…I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel… (Galatians 2.11 – 14, ESV, emphasis mine, poor behavior with respect to dealing with people of a different race isn’t new, and it’s “not in step with the truth of the gospel!)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1.16, ESV)

Continuing to think about race…

A friend of mine used to say that slavery in the past makes black/white relations difficult. After hearing many of my black brothers and sisters and reading about some things that are going on today, I don’t think that’s true.

It’s today’s injustice that needs to be dealt with. We see the big stories like the murder of George Floyd. We miss the little ones. Did you see the story of the white woman’s interaction with a Harvard-educated black bird watcher in Central Park? This isn’t a cop arresting a suspect; this is an ordinary white woman threatening a black man with death by cop just because he asked her to observe the plainly posted leash laws. Scary. 

I can walk into a car dealership, pick out a car, drive off with a loan and no money down in under two hours. My similarly educated black friends plan on it taking all day. 

My friend Rob Webster posted this on Facebook back on May 8.

There’s a lot of talk about privilege on Facebook these days. I thought I’d add something to the conversation.

I’m a white guy. I’m often blissfully ignorant of my privilege. It’s pretty easy to be unaware of it. But one area where I tend to be very aware of it is when I’m fishing.

Fishing is often a solitary activity. I go out alone all the time, and often at night. I don’t think many women would feel comfortable standing alone for hours on end at a pond at night. Most people who fish are men. There might be a lot of reasons for this, but I think one is just because of safety. I can only recall one time when I felt uncomfortable and unsafe because of people or activity around me. I don’t think I’d say that if I were female.

I’m also aware that the color of my skin gives me a pass. Sometimes I fish in HOA neighborhoods that have private ponds that I’m not supposed to fish in. But I know that I look like the people who live there, and it’s pretty unlikely that they’ll see me and think that I don’t belong. They’ll probably assume I live there. Every time I’ve fished at one of these, my white privilege has come to mind. Every time.

And then the police have shown up. It was just a little past midnight, and from the pond I saw them pull up behind my car. They got out, shined a light around in my windows, and were looking around. I packed up my stuff and started trudging towards them. I honestly didn’t know that the park closed at midnight. But I wasn’t fearful as I walked up. I just figured I’d talk to them and it would be no big deal. Which is exactly how it went down. We were friendly. I even told them I had some extra poles if they wanted to join me for a minute. It was only later that it occurred to me that I mightn’t have been so calm, so confident that a simple conversation could resolve this, if I were black.

I don’t know the solution for this kind of disparity. I do know we need to remember what my black friend whom I quoted yesterday said:

We need as many people  as possible talking about Depth in Christ and living out the gospel every single day with everyone we meet.

Maybe all of us should remember, as a black preacher told me years ago, “We used to sit in the back of the bus. If you and I were in Israel in Bible days, neither of us would have been allowed on the bus!”

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (Ephesians 2.11, 12, ESV)

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (Romans 12.10, ESV)

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12.15, ESV)

Let’s continue thinking about racial unrest.

I wrote similar notes to two friends, both African-American, both in Christian ministry. I asked how they were, lamented the tough times we’re in, and observed that things don’t seem to be getting better. 

One friend speaks at marriage retreats all over the country and also works with companies on racial reconciliation issues. This is his medium-depressing response:

Thanks so much for reaching out to us. These aren’t tough times in America. This is everyday life for black men in America. This is not new, videos now make it possible for whites to see what blacks have been and will continue to face since slavery. No things aren’t getting any better.

What to do? The problem seems enormous, which is precisely what Seth Godin (I don’t know if he’s a believer or not) shared this morning:

When a problem appears too large, too intractable and too unspeakable to deal with, it’s easy to give up. There never seems to be enough time, enough resources or enough money to make the big problems go away. Perhaps we can start with a very small part of it. One person, one opportunity, one connection. Drip by drip, with commitment. Those are the two hard parts. The insight to do it drip by drip and the persistence to commit to it. –Seth Godin, June 3, 2020

Drip by drip with commitment. That’s precisely what my other friend said. He and I go back a long way. He and his wife, with June and me, drove through downtown Atlanta back in the late 1960s. We got some stares. In some ways things don’t seem to have changed. He lives in Atlanta now, and this was his response:

It’s a very very tough journey and we need as many people  as possible talking about Depth in Christ and living out the gospel every single day with everyone we meet. 

I alluded to this idea briefly on Monday: racial reconciliation is a God-sized task, but here’s the solution: a deep relationship with Jesus and living out the gospel every single day with everyone we meet.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22.36 – 39, NIV)

Continuing yesterday’s conclusion that solving racial injustice issues is a God-sized task, my son David, living in the Atlanta area, wrote this poignant essay. It’s long but worth the read:

Oh, how I wish we had a leader like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today.  Someone that can bring people together. Someone that can articulate what needs to be done and how it has to be done.  When he (and many others) carried the heavy burden of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 60s in this nation, they understood they would have an uphill battle.  They understood that based on the disgusting, deplorable, wicked ideas of segregation and racism, they would have a hard hill to climb. In that era, if people of color were to return the hatred, violence, abuse, and discrimination they received with the same, they would be squashed and imprisoned and marginalized even worse.  Dr. King knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that a movement based on peace, non-violence, and uncompromised Christian values would be the only way, the absolute only way, they would see any success.  Some today might say, “Well, they were still imprisoned and marginalized and beaten and abused…” and you would be right.  But Dr. King and the people under his leadership persisted.  They refused to engage in violence and more crime.  They refused to compromise their approach and their values.  They did this for years…. And what happened?  Change happened. But now we need more change…. 

Now, that fight continues.  Racial division and hatred and malice and anger are still winning in many hearts.  Now people of all colors, of all races, of all ethnicities, of all religious (or non-religious) backgrounds must come together.  We must not allow anger and hatred and malice and violence to win the day.  We have an opportunity to carry the torch that leaders like Dr. King passed to us.  I am no civic leader.  I don’t hold any political office.  I don’t have a big important position of any kind, and other than being a dedicated member at my local church, I’m not a part of any community or civic organization.  But I must not be silent.  I must pray for wisdom.  Yes, I pray, and that is a weapon.  I must also speak out, speak up, and ask, “What is my responsibility?” If enough of us ask that question, we might have hope.  I will also pray for leaders.  We need them, too.

I love “grassroots” movements.  But I also believe we will need more.  We need leaders that speak love, grace, unity, and peace.  Leaders that don’t seek to create more division, hatred, and animosity.  Where are the Dr. Kings today?  We need you, we implore you, please rise.  I pray we will listen.  I pray we will hear and act.  I pray we will respond.  And above all, I pray our response will be one of love, grace, healing, unity, and understanding.  The more we return violence for violence, hate for hate, and anger for anger, the longer and deeper and wider the divide will become.  Are you asking the question? Are you going to be silent?  Will you pray that God will show you the way? -David Ewell, Cumming, Georgia, June 1, 2020

The mayor of Atlanta, an African-American woman, has taken a run at being the right kind of leader. If you missed her speech, you can hear it here: https://www.fox5atlanta.com/video/689455. “I saw the murder of George Floyd…These aren’t protests; this is chaos…This is not in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5.24, NIV)

Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. (Exodus 23.2, NIV)

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3.8, 9, NIV (1984))

In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide race riots, there was a bit of good news over the weekend.

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that I’m a big fan of space flight, having used radar to track satellites way back in 1970, teaching orbital mechanics at an Air Force school 1971 – 1974, and finally helping oversee the development of Undergraduate Space Training in 1986. I’m also reading a biography of Elon Musk, builder of Tesla cars and founder of SpaceX. Saturday, SpaceX made history by becoming the first commercial company to launch astronauts into space, the first launch of American astronauts from US soil in over 9 years.

June and I watched it live, on pins and needles, because rocket launches are still a harrowing experience. It’s an explosion in every sense of the word.

Every aspect of the flight was smooth, and 19 hours later, they docked with the International Space Station, 260 miles above the earth. It may have looked like the capsule was inching along toward its destination, but in reality, both spacecraft were traveling at speeds in excess of 17,000 miles per hour.

It shows what can be done with cooperation, persistence, and courage. I pray we can muster the same creative energy to defeat both the virus and the racial tensions. The latter, especially, will require a change in human hearts–a God-sized task! Heather Holleman wrote eloquently about this on Pentecost Sunday (yesterday!).

We need new thinking and new living in our nation. I think about two incredible moments in scripture that show us a picture of Jesus fighting racism: when He engages with the Samaritan woman and when the Holy Spirit tells Peter to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. Both groups were excluded and even hated. -Heather Holleman, May 31, 2020

Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked. They couldn’t believe he was talking with that kind of a woman… (John 4.27, MSG)

The news [of Peter’s visit to the Roman Centurion Cornelius] traveled fast and in no time the leaders and friends back in Jerusalem heard about it—heard that the non-Jewish “outsiders” were now “in.” When Peter got back to Jerusalem, some of his old associates called him on the carpet: “What do you think you’re doing rubbing shoulders with that crowd, eating what is prohibited and ruining our good name?” (Acts 11.1 – 3 MSG)

And he [Jesus] came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. (Ephesians 2.17 – 19, ESV)

The past few days we have focused on implementing 2 Timothy 2.2:

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2.2, NIV)

Encouraged by pastor and author Dr. Greg Ogden we have looked at:

• The mission: laser-focused on making reproducing disciples
• The method: micro-groups, the Holy Spirit’s hot house for transformation
• The materials: biblically-based curriculum as an empowerment tool for discipling others

What’s missing? it has to start with “m”: the men and women to do the disciple-making! Methods and materials don’t make disciples; people do! Jesus did not declare a shortage of anything except people.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9.37, 38, NIV)

Come on in, the water’s fine! If you don’t feel ready, you’re in good company: the disciples weren’t ready either when Jesus sent them out in Matthew 10. And we serve in the power of the Holy Spirit:

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20.21 – 22, NIV)

I’ve been writing about Dr. Greg Ogden’s approach to making reproducing disciples beginning with his laser focus and his belief in transformational micro-groups. Today I’ll close with his argument for biblically-based curriculum, not just for bible knowledge but…

A curriculum that covers the foundation for a life in Christ and is the empowerment tool used to disciple others.

He argues that without a curriculum you have…

• No plan
• No intentionality
• No transferrable tool
• No sense of progress
• No structure

Naturally, he likes his book, Discipleship Essentials. I’m partial to discipleship tools developed by The Navigators including:

• The Navigators’ 2:7 Series (3-book series)
• Every Man a Warrior (3-book series)
• High Quest, Men on a Mission (3-track series, several books/track)
• Women of Distinction (3-track series, several books/track)
• Women’s Journey of Discipleship (3-book series)

These tools incorporate spiritual disciplines, encourage personal application, and require accountability. Leadership training and reproducibility are built in.

One of the first steps I wrote about on May 7 was finding someone to invest in. When we do, these are the kind of tools – curriculum – we will want to use. This is good news! The tools have been built. All we need to do is use them! I’ll talk more about that tomorrow.

I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20.27, ESV)

Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God’s people. Warn them before God against pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out. Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple. (2 Timothy 2.14, 15, MSG)

I wrote yesterday about Greg Ogden, a pastor, encouraging pastors and churches to “keep laser-focused on making reproducing disciples.” It turns out the process isn’t all that hard, and it’s actually widely known. I wrote 8 months ago what my mentor the late Dick Miller said about small groups:

We believe in small groups in which people can grow into Christ-likeness and spiritual maturity through time and exposure to the Word of God and the people of God in a grace-filled environment of accountability, transparency, and vulnerability. – Dick Miller, Navigator (passed away in 2011)

Greg Ogden talks about the “hot house” where plants can grow much faster. Here’s how his “micro-groups” of 3-4 people work. He writes:

When we…

• open our hearts in transparent trust with one another
• around the truth of God’s word
• in the spirit of mutual accountability
• engaged in our God-given mission

…we are in the Holy Spirit’s hot house of transformation.

Other advantages of the micro-group are that leaders are developed in the context of the group. They need no more additional training. Groups of 3-4 don’t even have the “group dynamics” issues of larger groups of, say, 8 – 12, where one person might dominate while another is quiet. Handling such a group requires extra training.

However, micro-groups aren’t automatic. To achieve optimal results, we need the right curriculum. I’ll write more about that tomorrow.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10.24, 25, ESV. Bob’s note: these verses are often used to encourage attendance at Sunday morning services, but more “one anothering” goes on in a micro-group than in a large group.)

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18.20, ESV)

Yesterday I wrote that I believe in 2 Timothy 2.2:

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2.2, NIV)

Sometimes, in the church world, I think I’m the only one who does. Of course that’s not true, I quoted Jim Singleton, pastor and now seminary professor, just a few weeks ago. A few days ago I was excited to hear (via computer) Dr. Greg Ogden teach a seminar at the European Leadership Forum: Turning Your Church into a Disciple-Making Mission. Here’s a key point he made early on:

Keep laser-focused on making reproducing disciples.

He went on to quote C.S. Lewis:

The church exists for no other purpose but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became man for no other purpose. It is even doubtful, you know, whether the whole universe was created for any other purpose. -C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity, pages 163, 169, 170.

And Greg is clear that he hasn’t made a disciple until that disciple is making disciples. He likes to have a baton-passing ceremony for the people who have completed his 25-session Discipleship Essentials course.

And here’s the point: the men are not just receiving the baton. They have been trained to pass it on. More about that tomorrow.

Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. (Hebrews 7.23, NIV) [Bob’s note: best we train folks to replace us: none of us is going to be here indefinitely!]

[Jesus] appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach… (Mark 3.14, NIV)

What might it mean to “trust the gospels” as I wrote yesterday? “Oh yes, I believe the gospels are inspired, and I’m sure they are telling the story of Jesus accurately.” Will that do? Consider this verse:

Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. (Psalm 119.66, ESV, emphasis mine)

What does it mean to “believe in” God’s commandments?

Last year, those of us in Colorado all knew the Denver Broncos existed, but most did not “believe in the Broncos.” We didn’t think the Broncos were winners or even had a chance at the playoffs. Some teams, especially surprise contenders often have an “I believe” slogan as the season approaches its ending climax. People who believe in their team pay more attention to it. They’re more vested in daily outcomes.

Here’s another example: COVID-19. Some people aren’t believers. They’re not changing their behavior. (Just as my daughter Melody believed in the existence of terrorists when she was in Israel. She stayed alert in airports while most Americans in airports ignored their surroundings.) Climate change is another. Some believe in it and are working to counteract it. Others don’t and aren’t. 

So do I believe in God’s commands? How does that belief drive my behavior? I believe in 2 Timothy 2.2. I still think it’s the best strategy for making and equipping disciples.

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2.2, NIV)

Everyone who knows 2 Timothy has 4 chapters knows there is a 2 Timothy 2.2 in the Bible, but they don’t believe in 2 Timothy 2.2. They haven’t committed their lives to it as a strategy.

This would be true of all principles and commands in the Bible, would it not? Do I believe in them enough to act on them?  

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1.22, NIV)

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1.12, NIV)